PRESS BRIEFING BY PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS

press briefing by president of republic of cyprus

The Government of Cyprus remained eager to pursue a solution to the Cyprus problem, Tassos Papadopoulos, President of the Republic of Cyprus, told correspondents at a Headquarters briefing today.

Following a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Mr. Papadopoulos said he had assured Mr. Annan that his Government was willing to cooperate to take certain steps that would help Turkish Cypriots maximize the benefits of Cyprus’s accession to the European Union.

He said only the reunification of the country would enable Turkish Cypriots to realize all the economic and financial benefits of Cyprus’s accession to the European Union, noting that the benefits Turkish Cypriots presently received were only “second best”.

“The reunification of Cyprus is the only viable solution and the best solution for both communities of Cyprus”, he said.  A bizonal, bicommunal federation would truly reunify Cyprus and this was the best solution for the Cyprus question.  “We want a reunified Cypress within the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation”, he added.

Asked about his views regarding the Secretary-General’s plans to review the size and role of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP), he said that, as there had been no change in the security requirements of Cyprus, and as the referendum might have caused some tensions, it was especially critical for United Nations peacekeepers to remain in the country.

“This is exactly when UNFICYP is needed to continue its role”, he said.  “There is no improvement in the security situation in Cyprus, Turkish troops are not withdrawn and, therefore, I think it would be a mistake to withdraw the force.”

Responding to a question about whether he had misrepresented the settlement plan recently rejected by Greek Cypriots, he said it would be insulting to the highly literate and highly politicized people of Cyprus to suggest that they voted the way they did because they had been in any way misguided.

“The people decided, and the view of the people must be respected”, he said.

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